What is your plan B?

[user from Singapore]

As I recently went through a not so nice experience (power supply was faulty and I could not sleep properly for 2 nights) I realized how I became dependent from my machine...

That also made me wonder what to do if this happens again... So far the only solution I have is to use nasal strips and nose drops (Iliadin) to improve the air passage. But that is definitely not replacing the CPAP.

I would be interested to hear what others plan in case everything goes wrong?

[Suzjohnson]

Hmmm... Good question. I've been cogitating on this too after reading about others on the forum who have set up back-up batteries. I know that's what needs to be done, so now I need to make it happen. I'll just add it to the ever expanding list of things to do next so I have a plan B.

Suz

[nanwilson]

Battery or generator. Do a search above in the blue banner you will get lots of info. I have a battery as do lots of us for camping and power outages.

[Maxie]

All good points. In the US some power companies have a list of people who need electricity for life support equipment. Does anyone know if CPAP would qualify to be on that list and has anyone tried registering on their power company's list of people who need power? I personally think that CPAP would qualify and I plan to do some research.

[user from Singapore]

Thanks for the replies so far, but I would say the battery stuff is “too easy”… My question was what do you do in case everything goes wrong, meaning that your machine is not working and you have no way to use it?

[sleepinglass]

What about investing in a second had/ used machine so you have a spare just in case.

[user from Singapore]

yes of course it can be done.... can you please just tell me what you do in case you don't have a machine with you?
Let's imagine for example you go on board the plane and they don't allow you to use the machine... What do you do? I mentioned the nasal strips, what else? Any suggestion?

[AndyCelt]

Are you talking about a disaster or civil emergency like the Japan Earthquake/Tsunami or Hurricane Katrina?

Honestly, I am not prepared for something like that. I have a backup battery which will buy me three days of sleep. Beyond that, I have no backups. My machine is not in a packed ready-to-go state where I could grab it and evacuate quickly either.

[user from Singapore]

Are you talking about a disaster or civil emergency like the Japan Earthquake/Tsunami or Hurricane Katrina?
.

Well to me (and apparently you as well) it would sound as bad as those events
Yet, I am still investigating what can be done to try to make it less painful, should it happen. Maybe Burkebang AKA Mac Gyver will rescue us

[Maxie]

Check with your local hospital about their backup plan and see if you can go there and participate in the case of a national emergency. Maybe you could for a CPAP user group and you could plan ahead on how you might share resources.

[user from Singapore]

Check with your local hospital about their backup plan and see if you can go there and participate in the case of a national emergency. Maybe you could for a CPAP user group and you could plan ahead on how you might share resources.

I am afraid we don't talk about the same thing?
While I respect your attitude and compassion, my question was what can we do as individuals, should our machine not work. As I said before, I went through this experience lately and it made me realize I need to plan something (besides a second machine or back up battery of course).

[SleepyToo2]

1. Get an oral appliance - probably not going to work as a "permanent" solution if you have severe apnea, but it may help reduce the apnea rate so that you at least get some rest. Sleep in a recliner to reduce the effects of gravity - don't have it reclined all the way, otherwise it will be like lying in a bed.

2. Get a back-up battery system that will give you a couple of days xpap at least.

3. Check out your local evacuation points to determine whether they would allow you to charge your batteries/use your xpap.

4. Make sure you have a copy or can quickly get a copy, of your sleep apnea prescription so that you can replace the machine ASAP.

Beyond that, you probably have bigger problems to be concerned about than just the sleep apnea! Assuming you, like I and many others, have had OSA for many years before diagnosis, a few weeks of reverting are unlikely to kill us (I have delusions like these from time to time!) in the time it will take to get re-established.

Good luck and may the worst never happen to any of us!

[squid13]

I have a ResMed DC Converter 24V/90W For S9 Machines and an 85 Amp Hour marine battery for when we have power problems. Need it for hurricanes and have a Troy built portable generator.

[AndyCelt]

1. Get an oral appliance - probably not going to work as a "permanent" solution if you have severe apnea, but it may help reduce the apnea rate so that you at least get some rest. Sleep in a recliner to reduce the effects of gravity - don't have it reclined all the way, otherwise it will be like lying in a bed.

2. Get a back-up battery system that will give you a couple of days xpap at least.

3. Check out your local evacuation points to determine whether they would allow you to charge your batteries/use your xpap.

4. Make sure you have a copy or can quickly get a copy, of your sleep apnea prescription so that you can replace the machine ASAP.

Beyond that, you probably have bigger problems to be concerned about than just the sleep apnea! Assuming you, like I and many others, have had OSA for many years before diagnosis, a few weeks of reverting are unlikely to kill us (I have delusions like these from time to time!) in the time it will take to get re-established.

Good luck and may the worst never happen to any of us!

Great list of extremely doable and practical suggestions!

[user from Singapore]

Indeed, good list, thanks for sharing!